On August 11, a Supreme Court Bench directed Delhi’s local authorities to remove stray dogs from the streets of the national capital, a move that sparked nationwide debates over the right approach to deal with these animals. 

The ruling came even as discussions on “dog menace” had gripped Bengaluru following incidents of dog bites. A 68-year-old man, Seethappa, was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in northern Bengaluru’s Kodigehalli. Days later, two girls were bitten by stray dogs inside Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University on the Jnanabharathi campus of Bangalore University in West Bengaluru.

Following the fatality, the Karnataka Lokayukta had also pulled up Bengaluru’s civic body. However, the directive was centered on curbing aggression in stray dogs by confining and monitoring them for a few days in well-maintained kennels before releasing them.

Bengaluru and dog bites

Between 2020–21 and 2023–24, an average of 50,478 dogs were sterilised and 88,666 received anti-rabies vaccination annually ini Bengaluru. In 2024–25, sterilisation fell to 35,891, though vaccination numbers held steady at 88,572.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Delhi recorded 25,210 dog-bite cases in 2024, 17,874 in 2023, and 6,691 in 2022. Although smaller than Delhi, Bengaluru recorded 13,831 dog-bite cases in the first half of this year, according to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) data. Of these, 3,472 cases involved pet dogs. Last year, the city logged 26,532 cases, including 8,000 from pet dogs (see box for previous years).

Officials say that the numbers may appear alarming, but context reveals otherwise. Before the pandemic, in 2019–2020, the city reported 42,818 cases. A stronger Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme introduced after 2019 reduced the cases to 22,945 in 2022–2023.

“The rise in 2024–25 is largely because of streamlined reporting. Since dog bites are now notifiable, cases are recorded more diligently than before,” explained a senior BBMP Animal Husbandry officer.

Reports of a spike, presented without analysis, alarmed the public. Coupled with that, the Supreme Court’s judgement echoed in the Karnataka Legislative Council, where some members urged the State government to seek a similar directive. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah batted for a more “humane approach.”

BBMP’s approach a model?

The BBMP’s comprehensive plan to address the issue involves ABC, microchipping, and feeding programmes. Activists and veterinarians believe this could serve as a “model” for other States.

Even before the Chief Minister’s reassurance, the BBMP Animal Husbandry Department, headed by Special Commissioner Vikas Sularkar Kishor, had chalked out a detailed plan earmarking ₹60 crore exclusively for stray dog management in 2025–26, according to data accessed by The Hindu.

Animal Birth Control

In Delhi’s case, the Supreme Court pinned the blame on local authorities for failing to run robust ABC programmes, which involve capturing dogs, sterilising them, and releasing them in the exact location from where they were picked up.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike also plans to launch an ‘Each One, Feed One’ campaign to promote citizen participation in feeding dogs ethically.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Hemant Kumar Agrawal, a paediatrician and animal rights activist, emphasised the significance of sterilisation, not just in controlling breeding, but also in reducing hormonal changes that can trigger aggression in dogs.

The importance of sterilisation was reflected in the BBMP’s 2023 dog census. The survey estimated Bengaluru’s stray dog population at 2.79 lakh, a 9% drop from 2019 when the count was 3.1 lakh.

Chandraiah, Joint Director, BBMP (Animal Husbandry), attributed the decline to the ABC programme gaining momentum from 2019 onwards.

Between 2020–21 and 2023–24, an average of 50,478 dogs were sterilised and 88,666 received anti-rabies vaccination annually. In 2024–25, sterilisation fell to 35,891, though vaccination numbers held steady at 88,572.

The slump in sterilisation had two main reasons. First, the BBMP suspended the licence of an NGO involved in sterilisation after a botched surgery, which led to the closure of three ABC centres in Yelahanka, Mahadevapura, and R.R. Nagar. Second, infrastructure shortcomings coupled with stricter Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid down by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) slowed operations.

Infrastructure issues

The SOP requires dogs undergoing sterilisation to be monitored for at least four days post surgery. With Bengaluru’s current capacity limited to 550 dogs, the BBMP can manage only that many surgeries every four days. Additionally, a shortage of veterinarians and the difficulty of catching dogs have restricted sterilisation to 150 to 200 surgeries daily.

At present, the city has only six ABC centres and five companies with 23 teams carrying out surgeries.

Five-in-one vaccination

In addition to Animal Birth Control and Rabies Vaccination (ABCRV), the BBMP has also pioneered the use of DHPPiL, a five-in-one vaccine protecting dogs against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, in addition to rabies.

The civic body also follows a “ring vaccination” strategy. When a rabies case is confirmed, all dogs in contact with the infected animal are vaccinated. In Bengaluru, 114 rabies-positive cases were reported in just six months, 13 less than last year, according to data.

“An increased awareness of our helpline has led to more reporting, which is a positive sign,” said Chandraiah. He said it helps their larger cause of effective detection of positive cases to curb further spread of the disease. It is to be noted that rabies can spread across species.

Vikas told The Hindu that the BBMP is working to expand infrastructure and manpower. “We have an action plan, including establishing veterinary hospitals in all eight zones. This will not only strengthen the ABC programme but also offer wider benefits,” he said.

The BBMP is mulling over requesting veterinary colleges to involve graduates in ABC operations, possibly linking their degrees to performing a set number of surgeries. “This would boost manpower and vaccination coverage,” he explained.

The BBMP is also considering reintroducing the Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) technique, where dogs are captured, treated, and released within 24 hours.

Activists oppose move

However, activists have opposed the move, warning it risks the lives of dogs that develop post-surgery complications.

Despite these challenges, the BBMP reported progress, completing 11,700 surgeries and vaccinating 71,434 dogs in just four months (April–July) this year. To ease vaccination efforts, feeders were roped in to help catch dogs, a move that worked well. The BBMP hopes to cover 2 lakh dogs this year.

Yet, concerns remain. Activist Arun Prasad argued that AWBI rules are often flouted, especially the requirement to release dogs at the same location they are picked up from. Relocation, he warned, often triggers aggression as unfamiliar environments cause fear.

Vikas admitted some unintentional relocations occurred, but insisted it was not deliberate. “Even when released in their own area, anxious dogs sometimes run away, creating the impression of relocation,” he explained.

Arun also stressed the need for wider vaccination, pointing out that more than a lakh dogs miss out on annual anti-rabies vaccination (ARV). While an average of 88,666 dogs are vaccinated annually, Bengaluru has 2.7 lakh strays, meaning thousands go unprotected while others are revaccinated unnecessarily.

To fix this, the BBMP has allocated funds for trap cages, enabling feeders to help catch dogs during sterilisation and vaccination drives. Microchipping is also planned to prevent duplicate vaccinations and track a dog’s location.

Microchipping

Currently, the BBMP relies on photographs to identify vaccinated dogs, a flawed system with no proper records. Microchipping will store details of vaccination history and location, helping to prevent relocation errors, explain BBMP officials.

The civic body is preparing tenders worth ₹3.23 crore for the project. Arun, however, warned of possible health risks for dogs. He claims that the microchip may move in the dog’s body, possibly leading to unforeseen diseases.

Officials defended the plan, noting that pilot tests showed no side effects. “The chip is just 5–6 mm, injected under the skin near the neck. It stores data such as vaccination details and location,” a BBMP officer explained, adding that only five companies in India are eligible to execute the project.

While Shimla experimented with collared QR codes, the BBMP officials dismissed the idea, saying dogs quickly remove collars, often with help from other dogs, rendering the investment useless.

Feeding programme

To address aggression caused by hunger, the BBMP has launched a feeding programme. Hemant Kumar explained that many bites occur when dogs feel threatened or are hungry. With garbage dumps shrinking owing to better waste collection, food scarcity has triggered more aggression.

Vikas said the ₹2.88-crore project will feed 4,000 dogs in areas with frequent bite incidents. As of August 18, two contractors have come forward to participate in the tender.

Criticism arose over the inclusion of chicken rice in the meals, but the BBMP clarified it was cooked and provided for protein. 

Rashmi D’Souza, former Karnataka Animal Welfare Board member, explained that only raw flesh poses a danger by triggering wild instincts in dogs. However, the BBMP is providing cooked chicken, which she noted could be a benefit to the dogs.

“We urgently need to curb meat shops feeding stray dogs because raw flesh can evoke wild instincts in dogs. The BBMP should issue stern warnings to such shops about this and caution them of revoking licences,” she said.

The BBMP also plans to launch an “Each One, Feed One” campaign to promote citizen participation in feeding dogs ethically.

Hemant Kumar stressed that public awareness is vital, as cruel acts by humans often provoke fear-driven bites from dogs. To this end, the BBMP is considering awareness campaigns across schools, buses, metro announcements, and bus shelters.

By rolling out multiple projects, the BBMP is attempting to address the root causes of the dog menace which are hunger, improper ABC implementation, and vaccination.

Activists believe that the plan is comprehensive, except for the microchipping programme, and could serve as a possible model plan for other States if implemented effectively. Yet, they warn that plans must not remain on paper. 

“Given the BBMP’s reputation, many assume funds will be misused. Implementation is key to building true coexistence and reigniting hope among people,” said Hemant Kumar.

In sharp contrast, the Supreme Court, in its August 11 directive, stated, “We are conscious and sensitive of co-existence. The idea behind co-existence is not the existence of one’s life at the cost of the other.”